In November of last year, you might remember when the city hit your mailboxes with a special edition of Currents regarding Public Safety. We feel this flyer was very one-sided and contained a lot of misleading and inaccurate information.

Take a look at the chart we put together that compares the salaries of Fire, Police and Public Safety Officers. This chart compares salaries only and does not include sick or vacation time. That’s a topic we feel was inaccurately illustrated on the released Currents and plan to do a separate deep dive on that topic alone.

What is the biggest takeaway from this comparison chart? Public Safety Officers start higher and progress to their top wage faster than firefighters. A PSO starting their 2nd year makes more than a 17 year veteran of the fire department. It’s obvious this system costs much more and costs much more sooner.

The argument could be made that because of perceived efficiencies, paying more for 1 person to do 2 jobs is more cost effective than paying a PSO AND Firefighter. Which is true, however, the city isn’t hiring PSOs 1 for 1 to firefighters. The number of PSOs has grown faster than the number of firefighters has declined. These increased costs per person don’t affect just the base wages. The higher wage plays into the amount the City pays into the pension system per employee too. Those contributions are a percentage of wages, not a set number per employee.

Overtime for PSOs will be higher when they are called back for each fire as well as police only work (investigations, police training, etc). For the same 2nd year PSO mentioned above, their overtime hourly wage is $46.58 per hour. The overtime wage for a 17-year firefighter is $44.05 per hour. The PSO will still be paid at the higher rate even though they aren’t performing any fire-related activities during their logged overtime. ... See MoreSee Less

IAFF 2nd District

2nd District Vice-President Mark Woolbright

Mark Woolbright is a profound leader that believes that every individual has something to contribute. That goes from the General President to the newly sworn member. Mark wants to take that belief and transform the 2nd District into a responsive organization for all its members.

Starting his career with the IAFF after graduating from Missouri Valley College with two Bachelor of Science degrees, Mark graduated Magna cum Laude for his academic achievement. He is also an American Humanics Certified Graduate and Athletic Honoree.

Mark is a former Alderman for the City of St. Ann, MO. Twice the citizens that he represented elected him. Mark decided not to run for a third term. Joining the the Fire Service in 1990, Mark has worked for the same fire district, Pattonville Fire Protection District, his entire career. Mark’s leadership abilities, compassion and sense of humor are what most who meet Mark for the first time say they notice. After demonstrating his leadership abilities, Mark was promoted was to Captain in 2005.

Mark has successfully negotiated numerous contracts that have improved the working conditions and livelihoods of countless IAFF members. Being placed in many roles within the IAFF, from his role as Vice President of Local 2665 to Shop Stewart Mark, and now as the 2nd District Vice-President, Mark has always performed his duties professionally, honestly, and above and beyond the call of duty. He has vigorously, and successfully, defended members in various situations ranging from termination and discipline hearings to pay and military duty requirements.

Mark is the former Missouri State Council of Firefighters Legislative Affairs Director. That has provided Mark experience drafting, lobbying and passing (and when needed defeating) legislation within the complex state government setting. Mark lives in O’Fallon, Missouri and is a father of two wonderful children that look up to their father.

In the event that you need Mark to assist in a matter, feel free to email him at MWoolbright@IAFF.org

International Association Of Firefighters- Founded 2-28-1918

Thirty-six delegates selected from 24 locals gathered to attend the first IAFF convention on February 28, 1918 in Washington, DC. They met at the American Federation of Labor building at 10:00 a.m. to adopt a Constitution and By-Laws for the new union, created for the sole benefit of rank-and-file fire fighters in the United States and Canada . They elected Thomas G. Spellacy of Schenectady, New York the first president and William Smith as the first Secretary-Treasurer, neither of whom stayed on past 1920. The delegates debated on a name for the new organization, deciding between the International Brotherhood of Fire Fighters, the International Union of Fire Fighters, and the International Association of Fire Fighters. They also proposed publishing a magazine for their members, decided the salary of officers, and approved a motion to create a Fire Fighters Fund, to benefit orphaned children of fire fighters.

The IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery is a one-of-a-kind addiction treatment facility specializing in PTSD for IAFF members – and IAFF members only – who are struggling with addiction, PTSD other related behavioral health challenges to receive the help they need in taking the first steps toward recovery. It is a safe haven for members to talk with other members who have faced or overcome similar challenges.